"We managed to track the suspects using the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.

"The trio were using the cards to stay in Malaysia and avoid action from the authorities," he said.

The IGP said one of the suspects had a work permit from a phony company.

"All three have been detained under the Immigration Act," he said.

Khalid vowed that Bukit Aman (Malaysia's police headquarters) would be working closely with UNHCR to ensure terrorist elements do not exploit the privileges of the UNHCR card to use the country as their base of operation.

"We will not allow the country to be used as a place for them to hide or conduct any terror activities in the country or on foreign soil," he said.